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Over the last few weeks, I have had the most wonderful experience of being part of the first 30 days in a child's life. He is my nephew. Being with him day and night and watching him grow and develop provided some very useful insights in to the normal development of an infant.
When should parents start stimulating their children ? Some books say, from birth, others, at 3 months or 6 months. What is this "stimulation" itself? How do you stimulate a baby - who only is awake long enough to be fed, changed, cleaned and burped? Which is the most important area to be stimulated? Most parents, especially first time parents, would instantly say the "intellect" without hesitation.
WRONG!
Child development theory tells us that the most important aspect of an infant's life is the need to feel safe in this "new" environment. Bear in mind, the only environment the child has experienced was the one in the womb - which consisted of a dark, confined space, consistently loud body function noises from the mother and where food was provided automatically.
Then, birth takes place. They are suddenly having to deal with a new environment where it is bright, with inconsistent sounds, they are free to move and now, food is no longer automatic, temperature is no longer controlled- sometimes hot, sometimes cold, sometimes too cold or hot. Diapers are put on them for the first time. Smells becomes apparent. This is really alot to take in when you list it down like this, isnt it? So, forget the intellectual stimulation for now.
The first few weeks in an infants life should be kept calm, temperature controlled, kept dim ( not oo bright, not too dark) and the focus should be on helping the baby make this transition from the womb to the world a smooth one. How can we achieve this? By TOUCH! That is why it is important for mothers and fathers to cuddle the babies and hold them as much as possible. This is the first and most important form of stimulation - to provide safety and make the child learn to feel secure in this new environment.
Of course, some books will tell u that babies should be taught to self soothe from early on.. but seriously folks... if you were suddenly placed in the Northpole would you not want to be held tight, kept warm and not be left all alone to fend for yourself?
So remember... the first level of stimulation after birth should be done by touch and holding and hugging. This is known as providing tactile stimulation. Everybody understands a hug..its universal..:)
When should parents start stimulating their children ? Some books say, from birth, others, at 3 months or 6 months. What is this "stimulation" itself? How do you stimulate a baby - who only is awake long enough to be fed, changed, cleaned and burped? Which is the most important area to be stimulated? Most parents, especially first time parents, would instantly say the "intellect" without hesitation.
WRONG!
Child development theory tells us that the most important aspect of an infant's life is the need to feel safe in this "new" environment. Bear in mind, the only environment the child has experienced was the one in the womb - which consisted of a dark, confined space, consistently loud body function noises from the mother and where food was provided automatically.
Then, birth takes place. They are suddenly having to deal with a new environment where it is bright, with inconsistent sounds, they are free to move and now, food is no longer automatic, temperature is no longer controlled- sometimes hot, sometimes cold, sometimes too cold or hot. Diapers are put on them for the first time. Smells becomes apparent. This is really alot to take in when you list it down like this, isnt it? So, forget the intellectual stimulation for now.
The first few weeks in an infants life should be kept calm, temperature controlled, kept dim ( not oo bright, not too dark) and the focus should be on helping the baby make this transition from the womb to the world a smooth one. How can we achieve this? By TOUCH! That is why it is important for mothers and fathers to cuddle the babies and hold them as much as possible. This is the first and most important form of stimulation - to provide safety and make the child learn to feel secure in this new environment.
Of course, some books will tell u that babies should be taught to self soothe from early on.. but seriously folks... if you were suddenly placed in the Northpole would you not want to be held tight, kept warm and not be left all alone to fend for yourself?
So remember... the first level of stimulation after birth should be done by touch and holding and hugging. This is known as providing tactile stimulation. Everybody understands a hug..its universal..:)
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